Report of Dominion Experimental Farms, 1895. 59 



value of clover as a green manure for fertilizing purposes. 

 Experiments have been conducted with barnyard manure, to 

 find out the loss in weight which occurs in this material during 

 the process of rotting. 



Particulars of the distribution of samples of seed grain 

 among Canadian farmers are also given, which show that the 

 total number of samples distributed during 1895 was 27,991, and 

 the number of applicants supplied, 26,941. 



The testing of seeds for vitality has been continued, and 

 during the past year 1776 samples of grain and other seeds have 

 been tested for farmers, to ascertain whether they possessed that 

 vitality and germinating power necessary to insure good results. 



An interesting and useful chapter to all lovers of flowers is 

 that on roses, which contains information on the different clases 

 of roses, their hardiness, and general treatment, which is followed 

 by a list of those sorts which have been grown with the greatest 

 success in Ottawa. 



The visits of the Director to the branch farms are also 

 referred to, and a summary is given of the immense correspond- 

 ence now carried on by the officers of the Experimental Farm 

 with the farming community. The letters received during 1895 

 number 35,481, and the number of letters and circulars of 

 instructions sent out, 58,592 ; while the number of reports and 

 bulletins sent out through the mail was 227,631. 



Tnis document also includes the report of the Director's 

 assistant and foreman of forestry, Mr. W. T . Macoun. This 

 officer gives a very interesting account of the growth of the 

 various species of trees in the forest belts, with the particultrs of 

 the annual growth made by the different sorts, under the 

 different methods of treatment which have been adopted. The 

 hedges, avenues, lawns, borders and flower beds are also reported 

 on, all showing good progress. Some details are given of the 

 advancement made with the work in the Arboretum and Botanic 



